The Seattle Community Council Federation welcomes guests and representatives from community-based organizations in the Seattle area. We want to be aware of issues affecting your neighborhood, and we hope that you will join us with your input at our monthly meetings at Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue South.
Jeannie Hale, Chair; Rick Barrett, Vice-Chair

[This beautiful facility with free parking and a grand view of Lake Washington is just three

blockseast of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. and one block south of S. Jackson Street]

All are welcome to explore...

Two topics: (1) Are the Department of Planning and Development and the City Council doing enough to address problems from unregulated micro-housing? (2) What are the public interest issues in a proposed Metropolitan Park District, and what can be done to ensure they are fully and publicly addressed?

First on the agenda will be discussion with City officials and neighborhood leaders the current and proposed policies regarding micro-housing that, unregulated, is changing the character of Seattle’s neighborhoods. The City Council invites comments on the legislation proposed by DPD; to view it, click here or go to http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/changestocode/micros.

Second discussion topic is a possible Metropolitan Park District (MPD). A committee appointed by the City Council and Mayor is considering one for Seattle’s parks, community centers, nature centers, and other Park Department facilities. An MPD would be a new government controlled by the City Councilmembers under its own state charter, answerable to state laws and regulations but not to Seattle’s Charter, ordinances, and regulations. It would bring additional taxing authority not requiring voter renewal. For background, click on pro (http://seattleparksfoundation.org/metropolitan-park-district) and con (http://metropolitanparkdistrict.wordpress.com). For the City Neighborhood Council’s letter on parks funding and a possible MPD, click here or go to http://seattle.gov/neighborhoodcouncil.

Please join us October 22 for these important topics. Included also is our monthly Round Robin to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects. If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00Introductions / Minutes / Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10What are the Department of Planning and Development and the City Council doing to address the problems posed by unregulated micro-housing, and is more action needed?

8:00 What are the governance issues in a proposed Metropolitan Park District, and what can be done to ensure they are fully and publicly addressed?

8:30Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00Adjourn

The Seattle Community Council Federation(http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/) is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community associations. It was founded in 1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and to help Black veterans coming back from the war. Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire City. Its monthly meetings are open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome. Individual donations are also welcome, and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer. Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions, contact treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

Seattle’s
draft Bicycle Master Plan is up for public comment (deadline is
July 26). Among its proposals are
50 miles of “cycle tracks,” converting an arterial traffic lane on one side of
the street into a physically separated two-way bicycle path--eliminating parking
on one or both sides now used by retail business customers and by residents,
some lacking driveways or alley access.
Because buses can’t cross a cycle track to reach the curb, many bus
stops could be eliminated, increasing riders’ walk distance; or buses may stop
in the roadway, blocking traffic and requiring riders to cross in front of
fast-moving cyclists. We’ve
invited SDOT to join us in exploring these and other issues occasioned by the
Bicycle Master Plan.

A
committee appointed by the City Council and Mayor is considering a Metropolitan
Park District (MPD) for Seattle’s parks, community centers, nature centers, and
other Park Department facilities.
An MPD would be a new government entity controlled by the City
Councilmembers under a separate state charter and answerable to state laws and
regulations but operating outside Seattle’s Charter, ordinances, and
regulations. It would bring
additional taxing authority not requiring voter renewal so long as the MPD
remained in existence. For
background, click on pro
(http://seattleparksfoundation.org/metropolitan-park-district) and con
(http://metropolitanparkdistrict.wordpress.com).

Please
join us June 25 for discussions on these two important topics. Included also is our monthly Round
Robin to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects. If you have informational materials to
distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or
links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Introductions/Minutes
/Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10 SDOT’s proposed
Bicycle Master Plan

8:00 What would aMetropolitan Park District mean for Seattle?

8:30 Sandpoint Historic
District Issues

8:45 Round
Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00 Adjourn

The Seattle
Community Council Federation(http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/)
is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community
associations.It was founded in
1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who
had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and
to help Black veterans coming back from the war.Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire
City.Its monthly meetings are
open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly
dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome.Individual donations are also welcome,
and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer.Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East,
Seattle, WA 98102-3310.For
questions, contact Treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

At
its May 28th meeting, the Seattle Community Council Federation voted
unanimously to urge you to postpone your June 3rd vote on Council
Bill 117781. Federation members
studied and discussed the proposed ordinance keeping in mind the provisions of
Initiative 502 legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. We believe it is premature to vote on
the CB 117781 because of the many issues in the initiative that have not been
addressed in the proposed ordinance, the apparent lack of coordination with the
Washington State Liquor Control Board and the inadequate public involvement in
the local process.

For
one thing, the proposed ordinance does not distinguish between the state law
governing medical marijuana and the provisions within I-502 governing the
recreational use of marijuana. CB
117781 addresses the siting, distribution, production, selling and delivery of
marijuana with no regard to the provisions of I-502 and the proposed state
rules governing licensing for producers, processors and retailers and tax
issues. It is clear from I-502
that home grown marijuana for recreation use and sale is illegal—that the drug
for recreational use must be purchased from a state-licensed retailer—but the proposed city ordinance does not
address this discrepancy.

The
proposed ordinance seems to allow the growing of less than 45 marijuana plants
in single family neighborhoods with no regard to proximity to schools,
playgrounds, community centers, parks, libraries—contrary to the provisions of
Initiative 502.

These
are just a few issues we have identified with Council Bill 117781. The Federation strongly urges you to
postpone a vote on this measure and to allow a broader public process and
coordination with the Liquor Control Board. Thank you for considering our comments.

Internet, cable TV, and telephone access in Seattle and throughout the United
States is more expensive, with less data capacity and less consumer choice than
in many other countries--and the gap is widening. Just a few companies control the glass fiber lines needed
for better telecommunications, and they are minimizing improvements and
maximizing profits while lobbying to keep their monopolies. What solutions can Seattle seek in Washington,
D.C. and Olympia? What can Seattle
do itself to promote more competition and investment? Join in this roundtable, which will include the latest on
Seattle’s agreement with Gigabit2 to install ultra-high broadband in
14 demonstration neighborhoods.

Friends of
Battelle/Talaris will brief the group about their nomination to the Seattle
Landmarks Board for historic protections of the 18-acre open space site complex
between NE 41st and 44th streets, just south of where NE 45th turns in to Sand
Point Way in Laurelhurst. Learn
about the process and share your views.

The May 28 meeting
will include our monthly Round Robin with the opportunity to share news about
your neighborhood’s issues and projects.
If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please
bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Introductions/Minutes
/Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10 Why does Seattle
(and the U.S.) lack low-cost, high bandwidth internet, TV cable, and telephone
choices, and what can be done about it?

8:05 Possible
Landmark designation for Battelle/Talaris property

8:40 Round
Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00 Adjourn

The Seattle
Community Council Federation(http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/)
is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community
associations.It was founded in
1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who
had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and
to help Black veterans coming back from the war.Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire
City.Its monthly meetings are open
to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues
for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome.Individual donations are also welcome,
and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer.Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East,
Seattle, WA 98102-3310.For
questions, contact Treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

AGENDA

An important part
of growing up is the experience of working. Teen employment teaches work skills, provides valuable
mentorship, and introduces youth to possible careers. Yet openings for teens, including in the summer when
they are most needed, are scarce.
Why are teen jobs and rewarding volunteer positions harder to find than
in previous generations? What
government and business programs exist to provide teens employment and
volunteer opportunities? What can
youth and their parents and schools do to find them a rewarding position? Please join us as a roundtable of
experts (aided by your own questions, experiences, and suggestions) discusses
the crisis in teen employment and its solutions.

The April 23
meeting will also include our monthly Round Robin with the opportunity to share
news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects. If you have informational materials to distribute at the
meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Introductions/Minutes
/Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10 The
teen employment crisis: What is
working and what more can be done?

8:30 Round
Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00 Adjourn

The Seattle Community Council
Federation(http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/)
is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community
associations. It was founded in
1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who
had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and
to help Black veterans coming back from the war. Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire
City. Its monthly meetings are
open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly
dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome. Individual donations are also welcome, and
go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer.
Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA
98102-3310. For questions, contact
treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

Each year, the City Council considers amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. This year’s amendments (Council Bill 117697) are particularly significant, especially the “transit communities” proposal which could disempower neighborhood plans, promote upzones by definition in areas deemed to have “frequent” transit service, and disadvantage other areas in getting transportation and park funds.

Irene Wall, member of the Phinney Ridge Community Council, has been leading the critique of these Comp Plan amendments as chair of the City Neighborhood Council’s Neighborhood Planning Committee. In this timely and important meeting, she will walk us through the amendments and lead a discussion on their implications and what we can do to ensure a good result. Tom Hauger, DPD’s expert on the issues, will be on hand to answer questions and help guide the discussion.

Also at the February meeting is our monthly Round Robin with the opportunity to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects. If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Introductions/Minutes /Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10 Comp Plan amendments: Implications for neighborhoods--and what can be done

8:30 Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

8:45 Other business

9:00 Adjourn

SCCF (http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/) is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community associations. It was founded in 1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and to help Black veterans coming back from the war. Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire City. Its monthly meetings are open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome. Individual donations are also welcome, and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer. Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions, contact treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Meeting called to order at 7:05pm; introductions. Minutes
from October were held for completion of motion; to be approved at January
meeting.

President’s report: Jeannie Hale asked attendees to forward
any suggestions for future meetings. She directed attention to a website:
onehouseperlot.com

Speaker: Bill Mills, Senior Land Use Planner for DPD for 22
years. Bill said there were no regulations to speak of prior to the 50's. At
that time, 5000 square foot lots were considered single-family home lots. There
were some platted lots smaller than 5000 ft.; these exceptions were
grandfathered in. In the early 80's, the current code was adopted and other
exceptions were added. The City Council's policy at that time was to allow
in-fill housing. More restrictions were added in 1988: cannot demolish a house
and build two in its place.

There was an increase in researching these platted tax lots
to legalize smaller lots. There was not much guidance under the regulations to
determine what was a segregated tax lot. A standard front yard was 20 ft and a
standard backyard should be 20 ft.

(See attachments of Land Use Code and Summary of
exceptions to the land use code.)

Jeannie Hale asked why not have a registry for lots that
could be developed? Right now, it is not transparent. She said that Hearing
Examiners assume validity on the part of DPD.

Bill answered that there is no presumption of validity in a
variance case and mentioned the criteria for variance, including steep slopes,
neighborhood and character.

Chris Leman said that meeting family neighborhood needs
should involve infill that doesn't clash. Seattle has been known for successful
single-family neighborhoods and now developers are working against that. Twice
in the last 25 years, there have been attempts to wipe out zoning regulations.

Concerns expressed about height, bulk and scale of new
developments in single-family home neighborhoods.

Another concern brought up was that the Parks Opportunity
Fund ratings were released with the highest rating for the Aquarium; this fund
is supposed to be for neighborhoods.

No motion was made regarding the development concerns as
Jeannie asked that we each take the issue back to our community councils and defer
any action to January.

AGENDA

Recent mass killings are only a fraction of gun
deaths. In Washington state
alone, nearly 6,000 people have been killed by guns in the past decade--more than
died in traffic accidents. On Jan.
16, President Obama unveiled legislative proposals to reduce gun violence, and
took many administrative actions toward that end.

Washington CeaseFire (http://washingtonceasefire.org)
is proposing measures to reduce gun violence at the state and local level. Other states have closed the gun-show
loophole, banned the sale of military-style assault weapons, limited handgun
sales to one per month, carefully regulated concealed weapon permits, and
banned open carrying of guns. None
of those policies apply in Washington state, which ranks among the most loosely
regulated states in terms of guns, and has state laws that prevent local
governments from addressing gun violence.

Join us at the Jan. 22 meeting in welcoming Beth
Flynn, Executive Director of Washington CeaseFire, as we discuss what
government and citizens can do to reduce gun violence. Also included is our monthly Round
Robin with the opportunity to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and
projects. If you have
informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or
e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Introductions/Minutes
/Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10 Gun violence: What should government and citizens do
to reduce it?

8:15 Round Robin of
issues and projects in your neighborhood

8:45 Other business

9:00 Adjourn

SCCF (http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/)
is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community
associations. It was founded in
1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who
had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and
to help Black veterans coming back from the war. Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire
City. Its monthly meetings are
open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly
dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome. Individual donations are also welcome,
and go very far, as SCCF is all-volunteer. Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East,
Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions,
contact treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

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SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION
Monthly Meeting –Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, 7 p.m.
Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue South 98144
[This beautiful facility with free parking and a grand view of Lake Washington is just three blocks east of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. and one block south of S. Jackson Street]
AGENDA
Gun Violence: what should government and citizens do to reduce it?
featuring Beth Flynn, Executive Director of Washington CeaseFire
Recent mass killings are only a fraction of gun deaths. In Washington state alone, nearly 6,000 people have been killed by guns in the past decade--more than died in traffic accidents. On Jan. 16, President Obama unveiled legislative proposals to reduce gun violence, and took many administrative actions toward that end.
Washington CeaseFire (http://washingtonceasefire.org) is proposing measures to reduce gun violence at the state and local level. Other states have closed the gun-show loophole, banned the sale of military-style assault weapons, limited handgun sales to one per month, carefully regulated concealed weapon permits, and banned open carrying of guns. None of those policies apply in Washington state, which ranks among the most loosely regulated states in terms of guns, and has state laws that prevent local governments from addressing gun violence.
Join us at the Jan. 22 meeting in welcoming Beth Flynn, Executive Director of Washington CeaseFire, as we discuss what government and citizens can do to reduce gun violence. Also included is our monthly Round Robin with the opportunity to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects. If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.
7:00 Introductions/Minutes /Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report
7:10 Gun violence: What should government and citizens do to reduce it?
8:15 Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood
8:45 Other business
9:00 Adjourn
SCCF (http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/) is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community associations. It was founded in 1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and to help Black veterans coming back from the war. Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire City. Its monthly meetings are open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome. Individual donations are also welcome, and go very far, as SCCF is all-volunteer. Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions, contact treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

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The non-profit Seattle Community Council Federation, perhaps the nations’ most venerable umbrella organization is dedicated to neighborhood issues. Founded in 1946 as the Jackson Street Community Council to help resettle Seattlelites of Japanese origin returning from internment camps, and to assist black veterans coming back from the war. Both groups often returned to Seattle to find their homes and businesses appropriated, local government indifferent or hostile. Over the decades the Federation has grown to cover the entire city. To learn more about how the Federation might help your neighborhood go to SeattleFederation.Blogspot.com.

The non-profit Seattle Community Council Federation, perhaps the nations’ most venerable umbrella organization is dedicated to neighborhood issues. Founded in 1946 as the Jackson Street Community Council to help resettle Seattlelites of Japanese origin returning from internment camps, and to assist black veterans coming back from the war. Both groups often returned to Seattle to find their homes and businesses appropriated, local government indifferent or hostile. Over the decades the Federation has grown to cover the entire city. To learn more about how the Federation might help your neighborhood go to SeattleFederation.Blogspot.com.

About Me

Founded in 1948, the Seattle Community Council Federation is one of the nation's oldest and most active coalitions of neighborhood groups.Yearly dues for member groups are $50.SCCF welcomes new member groups, and encourages renewal by groups whose membership in SCCF may have lapsed.Individual donations are also welcome and tax deductible, and go very far, as SCCF is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization.Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA98102-3310.For questions, contact treasurer Chris Leman, (206) 322-5463, cleman@oo.net.

Seattle Community Council Federation,3425 West Laurelhurst Drive NESeattle WA 98105